FWS Again Allows Imports of Elephant Hunting Trophies From Zimbabwe

The Fish and Wildlife Service will again allow imports of elephant hunting trophies from Zimbabwe for animals killed on or after Jan. 21, 2016, it said. FWS “has made a finding that the killing of African elephant trophy animals in Zimbabwe, on or after January 21, 2016, and on or before December 31, 2018, will enhance the survival of the African elephant,” it said. FWS will review permit applications for importing hunting trophies on a case-by-case basis, “and each application also needs to meet all other applicable permitting requirements before it may be authorized,” FWS said. The determination remains in effect until Dec. 31, 2018. FWS “will reevaluate the status of African elephants in Zimbabwe before the end of 2018 and make a new finding in the beginning of 2019 for, at least, the 2019 hunting season,” the agency said.